UPDATE: Cops seek witnesses, info on attack in Tanger bathroom

Police are still searching for a man they say attacked a woman in a public restroom Tuesday, and are also looking for more information from a woman who witnessed the attack and called police.

A 67-year-old woman was inside a public restroom in Tanger 1 near the West Elm outlet store about noon when she was “attacked” by someone who was hiding inside another stall before the mugging, Riverhead Town police said.

Police said that as the woman tried to exit her stall, the suspect pushed her back in, putting one of his arms around her neck while forcing her to the floor. As the victim screamed for help, another woman entered the bathroom and ran to get employees at a nearby store.

A manager at the West Elm store said employees brought the shaken victim inside the building and the woman who walked in on the attack called police after the man ran off.

Police described the suspect as a “young looking” black male, clean shaven and slim, wearing a dark hoodie sweatshirt and standing about 5-foot-6-inches to 5-foot-8-inches in height.

Riverhead officers roped off the seating area near the restroom with police tape as they investigated the alleged attack. State trooper K9 units were also called to assist after police said the man fled the mall southbound, toward River Road.

The woman suffered “non life-threatening” injuries in the attack, police Sergeant Stephen Palmer said at the scene. She was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center by Riverhead ambulance volunteers to be treated.

Police did not say whether the man — whom they did not identify — took anything in the attack.

Cops are asking the witness of the attack, as well as anyone else who may have information about the incident, to call police at 631-727-4500.